2005 Audi RS6 for $75k?

M5.

 

RS6 was 2003 only.
New RS6 won't be out for a year or 2.
M5 fetidly ugly, E39 M5 was classic.
I'm in same boat, MB does nada for me, BMW's are nasty now(still drive great, but have to look at it when you walk up to it)
RS4 coming, 75K ish, but far smaller than A6.

 

$75K is really steep for an RS6. How many miles? There is a beautiful silver one on ebay with14k miles for $66K 'buy now'. I am sure you can find a bunch on autotrader.com. It is a great car. Good luck.

Tom

 

MurcieMurcie,

I own an RS6 and have a few thoughts for you. First, as someone else pointed out, the RS6 was one-year only: 2003. There is no such thing as a 2005 RS6, to the best of my knowledge.

Second, I love the car. It's my daily driver. I have 20K+ on the odometer. When my lease was up on my E55, I decided to test drive the RS6. It is a well-balanced car. Excellent power and brakes. Very good suspension. Ok transmission (paddle-shift, even). Nice styling. Far more rare than the AMG or the BMW M-series equivalents. It's holding its value better, too. Frankly, though, for a daily driver, I needed 4-wheel/AWD. The Audi has it. The AMG and Bimmer don't. I put a set of winter tires on it, and I can go pretty much anywhere. However, it's not a lithe car.

Third, the "issues". Do your research. Visit the forums on Audiworld.com and RS6.com. There have been numerous issues with the RS6. The transmission seems to be the most serious problem, but there are other, less critical, flaws that can annoy the owner. One of the major pluses is Audi's warranty. If this is a brand new car, it's covered by Audi's standard 4-yr/50K mi (whichever comes first) warranty. If it's a used car, make sure it's a "Certified" car, which can only be from an authorized Audi dealer. This adds another 3 years (or 4 maybe...I can't remember) and 50K miles. There are a few tuners doing chips (MTM, GIAC, etc.) for both the engine and the transmission, but they will most certainly void the warranty. However, horsepower ratings of 550 to 600 have been claimed. My recommendation, though is to avoid chipping it as this car, if you have to pay to get it repaired, is expensive. Other known issues include OnStar red lights, squealing brakes, low-speed turn groans, and electrical gremlins. This really isn't a surprise, though, given that the RS6 was produced only for one year and all the knots may not have been totally worked out. Now that they're all 3 years old, most of the problems have been identified and mostly corrected. You'll have to have a dealer make these fixes for you if they haven't already been made.

Fourth, ergonomics. Many owners have complained about the RS6's ridiculously useless Navigation system. Stupid, as a $20K honda has better navigation than the most expensive Audi ever produced! There is a fix for that (a screen-based DVD system is supposed to be available through the dealer network this October...pricing probably in the $5K range installed). But, that's not all. I frankly think that it was inexcusable that Audi didn't put thumb controls on the steering wheel for radio and computer controls. No rain-sensing wipers. Granted, these are small things, but they do take away from the driving experience.

Fifth, build quality. I've found it to be quite good. The car is solid. No issues with rattles.

Sixth, options. There were a few options available on the RS6. Paint, of course. There were several RS6-specific colors, but through Audi's personalization program, you could have pretty much whatever you wanted. Sound enhancing exhaust (no performance gains, but good sound). Carbon fiber interior trim (as opposed to birdseye wood). Rear side airbags. Navigation. Warm weather package (solar sunroof and rear and side sunshades).

Seventh, tires. Due to the RS6's weight (heavy), the car is a little hard on tires. There are only a few options (Michelin, Pirellis, and Dunlops) due to correct size and load rating. The Michelins don't seem to last. I have the Pirellis and am happy. Don't know as much about the Dunlops.

Eighth, price. $75K is a little high. I'd guess that you can probably talk them down closer to $70K. Price for a used with 8-10K miles on it is now in the mid to high 60's. Maybe you can get them to throw in the satellite radio module.

I am happier with the RS6 than I was with the E55. The E55 was parked whenever there was inclement weather. That was a problem. I imagine that the M5 has the same problem. Anyway, those are my thoughts.

Best,

CW

 

any thoughts of the maserati or caddy V series?

 

Do they come with a parachute to save you from the depreciation?

 

As to Uro's comment, so far, the people that bought new have taken a hit. However, if you bought it at the right price or bought a used one at the right price, I think the car will hold value. For a while, at least. It's anyone's guess what will happen when the new RS6 comes out (rumored to be a V10). Anyway, that's the same old story all over again. When the latest and greatest comes out, the older model falls like a stone. I feel that I've done alright on the value, but, then again, it's not like I bought this car as an investment. Sure, resale is a consideration, but it shouldn't be at the top of the list. If you like the car, it's worth it, in my opinion. If this car you're looking at is brand new, I have to think that you're looking at the the last new car in the US dealer network (or close to it). Negotiate it down. It's stayed on the lot for over 2 years. The dealer has got to want to sell it. The sticker is probably north of $88K. So, after taxes, tags and so on, you're north of $90K. Buying the car for $75 isn't THAT bad, is it?

FYI...you might also consider applying a paint protector like 3M Stonguard or Autobahn'd. I don't have it, and I've seen some significant chipping. I think Audi's paint is a little thin and soft.

Interesting story. When the RS6s first hit the US shores, Audi couldn't give them away, supposedly. When I started looking for one, for example, in June of '04, there were 3 brand new cars at my local dealer. However, when I went back in July, they had sold or traded away all three. Timing, I guess.

Sorry, BostonMini, no thoughts on either the Caddy of the Maser. Haven't owned or driven either of them.

 

Now were getting there!

 

Everyone says RS6's were 2003 only but didn't the RS6Plus come out this year or last year? (or was that Europe only?)

 

Yes, there was such a thing as an RS6+. It was for Europe only. The RS6+ has slightly more bhp and some upgrades. It is very rare, indeed. Notwithstanding this, there may be one or two in the US according to the RS6.com and Audiworld.com forums. I do not know if they were produced only in '03 or also into '04.

There were numerous differences between the US and Euro versions, not surprisingly. Euro cars had even better seating and interior treatments (Recaro sport seats), either the CD-based Nav+ (in-dash screen) or the newest DVD-based RNS-E nav system, nicer stainless steel (or brushed aluminum) pedals, different wheels (19" 5-spokes) and so on. A nicer car, but apparently cost prohibitive to import due to DOT rules. Thanks, Big Brother, for saving us from those dangerous Recaros! Strangely, the same Recaros are available in the S4. Now there's some good logic for you. One can, if obsessed, find these seats, pedals and most other bits on ebay or on the forums. Pricey, but possibly worth it.

Anyway, the Euro RS6 (and + model) were also both available as an Avant (wagon). There may also be one or two RS6 Avants here in the US, but again, they would have been special order-only and possibly only for "friends of the family". Or, if you were willing to throw any amount of money at Audi to get one.

That said, there are approximately 1,200 RS6s in the US. Audi NA will not confirm the correct number, but even if we're off by 10%, that's not many.

CW

 

where in texas are you?

 

Looking forward to seeing them when they're up.

CW

 

FYI, the RS6.com board has a few RS6s for sale as a reference point. The prices range, for used cars of course, from $68K (11K miles) all the way up to $80K.

So far, I'm still in the black on mine!

CW

 

RS6 on Millenium's website is a 2003 with 27k miles on it, asking 83k.
They're on crack.

 

The RS6 got pretty solid reviews in the USA and Europe. As the owner stated, unlike the others, it can be used in all weather. I do believe it won a comparison or 2 against the M5, E55 and Jag S type-R.
http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=19&article_id=2478&page_number=1

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=31&article_id=594&page_number=1

It was priced higher than the competiton at the time.

The funny thing is the new RS4, will be priced above 70k, so in that sense, the RS6 doesn't seem so bad.

http://www.germancarfans.com/features.cfm/featureid/1020530.001/audi/1.html

 

I think that a RS6 is a really nice car, but I have heard that at 35,000 miles some kind of belt has to be replaced and it isn't cheap either? I don't know if it is true, but I have heard that that is when prices on the RS6s 35,000+ are going to go down.

 

Millennium's price of $83K for a car with 27K miles is pie-in-the-sky. They won't be getting $75K, either. I'd think in the low-60's. They're just way off. If you like the car, make an offer at what you think is a reasonable price. Otherwise, take a pass.

However, the car, if Audi Certified, should sell at a premium as it carries an additional 3-year and 50K mile warranty (7-year or 100K). The rough value of the Certified extended warranty is in the $3K neighborhood, I'm told. So, there you have it.

You might have wanted new, though.

As to the 35K mile service. Don't know about that, as I haven't been through it, yet. However, I'd ask the question why would this supposedly expensive service cause the market prices to fall? Is it based on the assumption that Owners will dump their cars before the service is due and flood the market? If so, I would respectfully disagree.

First, most Owners of RS6s aren't terribly concerned with the cost of service. That's not to say that they light their cigars with $20 bills, but if you can afford a $90K sticker price car, then you can afford the service.

Second, that is only if they are, in fact, responsible for the service. If this is a service within the standard 4-year, 50K warranty, it should be covered. I suppose the next "big" one (the 70K?) would be the one to worry about. So, the question is whether the car is Audi Certified and covered to 100K miles. Therefore, I can see a difference in the market prices of cars that have been Certified and those that have not.

Again, this is just my opinion. I've never heard that a 35K service is a "big" deal, but then again, there are probably few cars at that milage. A poll about two months ago on Audiworld.com indicated that most cars were around the 20K number, IIRC. This isn't suprising due to their age. Some must be approaching or have already gone through the 35K milestone, though, so I would have expected to have seen something on the boards about it. I guess I'll know more in about 15K miles!

So, MurcieMurcie, I guess you're no longer interested?

CW

 

When I was with Baillargeon Audi in Texas, I sold the last new RS6 for under $70K in early 2004. It was true that they sat on the showrooms when they first arrived but after good reviews started coming out from long term test vehicles, people began to ask for them. The one I sold went to a 550 Maranello owner who wanted to replace his 740iL daily driver. He looked at the M5 very hard first and decided on the RS6.

I have spent many hours behind the wheel of many very good high performance cars and find the RS6 to be a good choice. I wish it were a little lighter and had better navigation as stated above. However, for a daily driver, it is a very good choice. If used, be certain to get the certified warrany, 6 years, 100,000 miles from the date of the original purchase.......

If you go for it, have fun and "let her rip".

BTW, I no longer have any affiliation with any Audi dealer so I am giving you a very unbiased opinion. I was with BMW for 17 years and Ferrari for over 3 years so I have gotten to experience some "performance" cars.......

 

Does anyone know if the RS6 was offered in Europe with a manual transmission? I have never been impressed with Audis automatic gearboxes and feel like the best setup would be a manual avant. Do they exist?

Check this out:
http://www.rs6.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=6029